Laser irradiation is used for surface modification of polymers aiming to improve their properties for different applications. The wettability of a polymeric surface can significantly affect its performance for biological applications. In this paper, the interaction of high-energy KrF laser photons in the two above- and below-threshold regimes with polyethersulfone polymer is studied. The role of morphological and chemical changes of the irradiated polymer and their correlation in the modification of the wetting property of this polymer is investigated. The obtained results show that the morphological parameter of surface roughness is the dominant mechanism in the below-threshold regime, while in the above-threshold region, the competition between this parameter and the carbonization amount of the surface determines the final hydrophilic response.

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